Leading Analyst Firm Names Verizon Business in Leaders Quadrant Among Global Network Service Providers

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. - Verizon Business has been positioned in the leaders quadrant in industry analyst firm Gartner Inc.'s annual report, "Magic Quadrant for Global Network Service Providers, 2007."

"We feel this positioning in the leaders quadrant highlights our success in building both a premier global network and a strong portfolio of products and services for our customers worldwide," said Nancy Gofus, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for Verizon Business. "We will continue to invest in our network and bolster the solutions and professional services we offer to help customers better manage their applications, enhance productivity and improve their day-to-day business operations."

Most recently, Verizon Business has also been listed in the Leaders Quadrant for Pan-European Network Service Providers and Asia/ Pacific Network Service Providers. Gartner recommends that companies use its reports to find the right providers to meet the companies' communications requirements. The latest Gartner Magic Quadrant examines network service providers that generate revenues of $200 million or more from direct global enterprise sales. Providers must offer voice, data and managed network services to customers across multiple geographies in North America, Western Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. An additional requirement is that providers must be able to deliver services, or have points of presence, in the world's top 25 markets.

According to Gartner, "leaders have a full portfolio of voice and data products, coupled with above-average service and support, wide global coverage and competitive pricing. They have a strong vision that includes adopting more information and communication technology (ICT) capabilities, which they articulate clearly and openly."

Gartner considered a number of criteria in assessing companies for inclusion in the Magic Quadrant. In terms of completeness of vision, Gartner analyzed market understanding, business model, product, sales and marketing strategies, innovation and geographic reach. With regard to ability to execute, overall viability, market responsiveness and track record, operations and the customer experience were all taken into consideration, in addition to pricing and products and services offerings.

Verizon Business is a recognized leader delivering advanced communications services to business and government customers in more than 2,700 cities and 150 countries. The company owns and operates one of the most expansive IP backbone networks in the world. The Verizon Business data network includes more than 446,000 route miles, including terrestrial and undersea cable spanning six continents, with access to an additional 187,000 route miles from Verizon Telecom.

About the Magic Quadrant

The Magic Quadrant is copyrighted 2007 by Gartner, Inc. and is reused with permission. The Magic Quadrant is a graphical representation of a marketplace at and for a specific time period. It depicts Gartner's analysis of how certain vendors measure against criteria for that marketplace, as defined by Gartner. Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in the Magic Quadrant, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors placed in the "Leaders" quadrant. The Magic Quadrant is intended solely as a research tool, and is not meant to be a specific guide to action. Gartner disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

About Verizon Business

Verizon Business, a unit of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ), is a leading provider of advanced communications and information technology (IT) solutions to large business and government customers worldwide. Combining unsurpassed global network reach with advanced communications, security and other professional service capabilities, Verizon Business delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world. For more information, visit www.verizonbusiness.com.

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